Fluorescent desk lamp



ug- 14, 1945- A. lHoLEcEK 2,382,878

FLUORESCENT DESK LAMP Filed Feb. 5, 1944 I Patented-Aug. 14,A 1945 Nlrso STATES -Pn'lslwr QFHCEL -This invention relates to'desk lamps and more especially it relates to fluorescent desk lamps. Among its objects are to simplify the construction of lamps of this character and to reduce the cost thereof to a minimum.

Another object is the provision of a desk lamp I of symmetrical shape whereby either side thereof may comprise the front of the lamp. Another obiect is to provide a swivel connection between the canopy or lamp shade, and its supporting means in which bolts, nuts and other threaded clamping means are eliminated. Another object is to provide a ball and socket connection between the canopy and its supporting means of such' construction that the canopy may be readily disconnected from and connected to its supporting means. Another object is to provide means to hold the canopy in any position of adjustment.

With these and other objects and advantages in view this invention consists in the. several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated Ain the drawing accompanying this specification in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken out, of a uorescent desk lamp embodying a simple form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical cross section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. f

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail fragmental, vertical section taken as along the line 3-'3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental elevation of one of the bracket arms which forms the supporting Y means for the canopy.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail elevation of a frag-` ment of an end wall of the canopy.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross section taken on the line @-5 of Fig. 4, and

taken on the line l-l of Fig. 5.

Referring to said drawing, which is merellfr illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, the reference character i@ designates a base of symmetrical configuration and preferably formed as a metal stamping. As shown the base is of a generally rectangular form and contains the usual transformer or other electrical equipment (not shown) associated with fluorescent desk lamps. A switch iila is provided for controlling the electric current to the lamp.

Rigidly secured to and rising from the top of said base at places along its median line is a pair of supporting arms II desirably in the form. or, tubes. and the upper end portions of these sup-1 po .fr arms are bent to extend in opposite direc- 'tionsin horizontal alignment'with each other as shown at I2, I2. The tubular supporting arms also provide conduits for housing thev electric conductor cords of the lamp. A

Rigidly secured upon the extremity of each horizontal arm end I2, is a bracket I3, composed of resilient material, each bent up to provide a horizontal part I4 from which proiecttwo upright arms I5 and I6, the arm I6 normally slanting outwardly away from the lamp. To each middle part It of each bracket I3, is secured one or more uorescent lamp sockets' I1, as by bolts and nuts I8, lamp sockets of this connection being adapted for holding the contact ends of fluorescent lamps, one of which is seen at I9. As is well understood, suitable electrical contacts (not'shown) are contained in the sockets for making contact with the lamp contacts and for connection with the electrical conductor cords that extend through the supporting arms. The upright arm I5 of each bracket I3 is secured upon the adjacent arm end I2 by simple means, here shown as comprising an outwardly expanded annularrib 20 on the arm end which bears against one side of the arm i5, and the headed over or clinched end part 20a which bears against the other side of the upright arm I5. In assembling the bracket with an arm end the extreme end of the latter is'thrust through 4a hole in the arm I5 of the bracket bringing the rib 20 against the side thereof and the extremity of the arm end is then expanded and headed over or clinched against the other face of the arm I5 thus rigidly connecting these two inembers. Conveniently the lower ends of the arms i l may be secured to the base in the same manner.

The canopy or lamp shade 22 is of a generally trough-like form of streamline appearance and preferably comprises a curved top 23 from which diverge two sides 2t connected at their endsby end walls 25.' The canopy overlles the lamp i9 and encloses its top, sides and ends. The inner surface of the canopy is coated with'reiiecting material-preferably white enamel-and said refleeting surface reects rays of light from the lamp through the open bottom of the canopy.

The canopy is swiveled upon the bracket arms it by means of ball and socketjoints 28, 3l, of which the ball members comprise spherical protuberancesv struck up outwardly from the metal of the bracketarms, the sockets 21 are struck up outwardly from the metal of the end wallsEE of the canopy. As has been-explained the bracket arms I6 normally slant outwardly from the lamp and normally their upper ends are spaced apart a distance equal to and slightly greater than the distance between the two end Walls 25 so that in order to assemble the canopy with the bracket arms the latter must be flexed toward each other sufficiently to permit the lower edge portions of the canopy end walls to pass over them.

To facilitate guiding the sockets to the balls when assembling the canopy with the rest of the lamp, the metal ofthe end walls 25 of the canopy is struck up outwardly to form oppositely related grooves 28 that extend at right angles to the lower edges of the end walls and desirably flare laterally at the lower edges.

By registering the aring ends of the grooves 'with the balls on the bracket arms and then guiding the canopy so that the balls will follow the grooves to the sockets A2l, the canopy is readily connected to the bracket arms. Y

While the resilient bracket arms may have sufficient tension to hold the canopy in any adjusted position, I prefer not to depend upon friction alone for this purpose and have provided radial ribs 29 on one or both bracket arms I6 around the ball thereof, which ribs engage corresponding radial ribs V30 formed on the end walls of the canopy. Manifestly the inter-engagement of the radial ribs of the bracket arms and end walls of the canopy will positively maintain the latter in any position of adjustment and it requires but little application of force to turn the canopy upon the ball and socket joints when changing the angular position of the canopy.

From the above it is apparent that 'I have provided a desk lamp of neat and-attractive appearance, one that comprises a minimum number of parts, and is easily wired Iand assembled. On account of the symmetric appearance of both sides of the lamp base each side of the lamp may be regarded as the front thereof and the canopy may be easily turned upon its swiveled connections With the bracket arms so as to direct the light rays as desired. The inter-engaging radial ribs on the bracket arms and end Walls of the canopy serve tc hold the latter in any position of angular adjustment. Furthermore the canopy serves to hold the sockets from spreading thereby preventing any danger of poor contact between the lamp and socket contacts. Moreover no bolts, nuts or threaded connections are used to swivel the canopy on the bracket arms.

Having thus described the present invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made without departing from the breadth and scope of the present invention. Therefore, no limitations should be placed on the exact form, construction, Iarrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or to the uses mentioned excepting as shall be determined by the breadth and scope of the' appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A desk lamp comprising a base, a pair of tubular lamp supporting arms rising therefrom, the upper ends of said arms terminating in oppositely directed horizontal arm ends, oppositely related resilient brackets, one secured to each arm end, oppositely related lamp sockets, one secured to each bracket, a fluorescent lamp extending between and secured in said sockets, a canopy overlying said lamp. and ball and socket connections between said brackets and the end walls of the canopy, said brackets and end walls having interengaging radial ribs for positively holding the canopy in any adjusted position 2. A desk lamp comprising a base, a pair of tubular lamp supporting arms rising therefrom, the upper ends of said arms terminating in oppositely directed horizontal arm ends, oppositely related resilient brackets, one secured to each arm end-oppositely related lamp sockets, one secured to each bracket, a fluorescent lamp extending between and secured in said sockets, a canopy overlying said lamp, ball and socket connections between the end walls of said canopy and brackets. and said end walls having outwardly depressed grooves for guiding the balls to the sockets.

3. In a desk lamp, oppositely disposed resilient brackets each formed with an outwardly depressed convex projection with radial outwardly depressed ribs disposed circumferentially about said projection, and a canopy having end walls each formed with an' outwardly depressed concave projection adapted to ilt upon the projection of -an adjacent bracket and radial outwardly depressed ribs adapted to fit over the ribs of an adjacent bracket whereby to positively hold the canopy in any adjusted position.

4. A desk lamp comprising a base, a pair of tubular lamp supporting arms arising therefrom, oppositely related resilient brackets, one secured to each arm end, oppositely related lamp sockets, one secured to each bracket, a fluorescent lamp ,extending between and secured in said sockets, 

